Swimming pool

ABSTRACT

A swimming pool having side walls and a floor formed of drawn aluminum profile members which are bonded with one another. Each profile member having an essentially rectangular cross-sectional configuration, the lengthwise sides of which are extended at one end and at the other end having a tapered section for the introduction of the neighboring profile member between such wall extensions. The edges between a respective side wall and the floor are formed by profile rod members which in cross-section possess a quadratic or square configuration and which at two neighboring surfaces possess a respective pair of flanges for receiving an end of a profile member and which flanges are arranged perpendicular to the associated surface. The edges between each two side walls are formed by round or arcuate profile members which in cross-section are quarter circular shaped, and which possess at each side a planar or flat flange pair for receiving the end of the profile members which form a respective side wall. For connecting the round profile members with the floor and with two respective closure profile members placed upon the edge of the pool, there is provided a respective lower and upper connection bracket.

[451 Apr. 9, 1974 [54'] SWIMMING POOL Eduard Stalder, Stein Rain 249, 4113 Fluh, Switzerland [22] Filed: Jan. 19, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 325,185

[76] Inventor:

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Jan. 24, 1972 Austria 525/72 [52] v US. Cl. 4/172.l9, 52/593 51] rm. C1. E0411 3716,156411 3718 [58] Field of Search 4/i72, 172.19, 172.21; 52/169, 269, 282, 586, 587, 588, 593

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,009,056 7/1935 Schaffert 52/593 X 2,869,140 1/1959 Wiedemann, .lr 4/l72.l9 X 3,100,556 8/1963 De Ridder 4/172 X 3,436,881 4/1969 Schlecht 52/282 X 3,440,780 4/1969 Adam et a]. 52/169 R26,977 11/1970 Pereira 4/172.19 3,654,640 4/1972 Katzman 4/l72.l9

3,712,005 1/1973 Eschbach et al 52/282 3,736,599 6/1973 Kessler et a1. 4/l72.19

Primary Examinerl-lenry K. Artis v Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Werner W. Kleeman [5 7] ABSTRACT A swimming pool having side walls and a floor formed of drawn aluminum profile members which are bonded with one another. Each profile member having an essentially rectangular cross-sectional configuration, the lengthwise sides of which are extended at one end and at the other end having a tapered section for the introduction of the neighboring profile member between such wall extensions. The edges between a respective side wall and the floor are formed by profile rod members which in cross-section possess a quadratic or square configuration and which at two neighboring surfaces possess a respective pair of flanges for receiving an end of a profile member and which flanges are arranged perpendicular to the associated surface. The edges between each two side wallsare formed by round or arcuate profile members which in cross-section are quarter circular shaped, and which possess at each side a planar or flat flange pair for receiving the end of the profile members which form a respective side wall. For connecting the round profile members with the floor and with two respective closure profile members placed upon the edge of the pool, there is provided a respective lower and upper connection bracket.

4 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures xmm gum 9:914 I 13.801; 993

SHEEI 1 BF 3 Fig.

SWIMMING POOL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION considerable strength, it is extremely expensive as con 1 cems the fabrication thereof, and the reverse is true when a swimming pool is formed of plastic. By using drawn aluminum profiles as the structural element, there can be fabricated more stable and less expensive swimming pools. The side walls of such swimming pool and its floor or bottom are assembled together from such profile members which are bonded with one another. The edges between the side walls' and the floor and between each two side walls are formed by special profile members with connection flanges. The lastmentioned edges, when using conventional profile members, are very sharp. Under certain circmstances, this can be found to be quite undesirable, particularly in terms of injuries which might arise, especially occurring when childrun play around such pool, and furthermore, also does not have a pleasing or esthetic appearance. Furthermore, closure profile members which are possibly secured as a seating edge, for instance, to the edge of such swimming pool, cannot be interconnected with one another in this matter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Hence, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved construction of swimming pool which is not associated with the aforementioned drawbacks and limitations of the prior art proposals.

Another and more specific object of the present invention relates to a new and improved construction of swimming pool which is economical to manufacture, relatively easy to assemble, and pleasing in appearance.

Now in order to implement these and still further objects of the invention, which will become more readily apparent as the description proceeds, the swimming pool of this invention is manifested by the features that the edges between each two side walls are formed by round profile members which in cross-section essentially possess the shape of a quarter of a circle. These round profile members possess at each side a flat flange pair for receiving the ends of the profile members forming a respective side wall. For the purpose of connecting the round profile members with the floor and with each two respective closure profile members which are placed on the edge of the pool, there is provided a respective lower and upper connection bracket.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above, will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. I is a perspective view of a swimmingpool designed according to the invention, partially broken away parallel to one side wall; 1

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view, at the region ll of FIG. 1, through the upper portion of a side wall with the thereat mounted closure profile member;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view, at the region III of FIG. 1, through the lower portion of a side wall and a part of the floor as well as the edge between the floor and the side wall;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the swimming pool of FIG. 1, taken substantially along the line IV-IV 0 thereof and through a side edge of the swimming pool;

and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the swimming pool depicted in FIG. 1, taken substantially along the line V--V thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Describing now the drawings, in FIG. 1 there is depicted by reference character 1 a swimming pool which has four side walls In and a floor or bottom lb. The walls la and the floor 1b are assembled together from drawn aluminum profile members. Such profile members have been depicted in greater detail in FIGS. 2 and 3 and designated by reference character 2. Each profile member 2 possesses an essentially rectangular crosssectional configuration, the lengthwise or longitudinally extending sides 2a of which are provided at one end with extensions or extended portions 2b and at the other end possesses a tapered portion or section 20 for the introduction thereof between the wall extensions 2b of the neighboring profile member. The mutually adjoining members 2, as for instance known in the aircraft industry, are adhesively bonded with one another by means of an epoxy resin or other suitable binder. Each profile member 2 is provided approximately at the central region of its width with a web 2d which imparts thereto increased strength. Each edge between the side walls 1a and the floor lb of the swimming pool 1 is formed by a profile rod member 3 which possesses a quadratic or square configuration in cross-section. Each such profile rod member 3 possesses at two neighboring surfaces a respective pair ,of flanges 3a and 3b arranged perpendicular to the associated surface, as shown in FIG. 3, and serving to receive one of the profile members 2. With respect to such profile member, such can be a complete profile member or a section of a profile member, for instance one which has been formed by cutting-off the extensions 2b. Also in this case the profile members 2 are adhesively bonded with the quadratic profile rod member 3.

Between each two neighboring side walls there are provided round or arcuate profile members consisting of two partial profiles or profile members 4 and 5, so that there is possible a smooth transition between each two such walls. The partial profiles or profile members 4 essentially possess the shape of a quarter of a cylinder having two planar flange projections 4a. FIGS. 4 and 5 ilustrate in cross-section such round or arcuate partial profile members. At the inner wall of their curved or arched portion, they are provided with ribs 4b which serve for assembly with the second round or arcuate partial profile member 5 and for increasing the strength of the structure. The round partial profile members 5 are constructed in analogous manner. The round or arcuate profile members 4'and 5 differ from the prismatic aforementioned profile members 2 are horizontal. Their flange projections 4a and 5a serve to receive the profile members 2.

Always three edges which are formed by two respective neighboring side walls and the floor are assembled together by means of a connecting bracket or strap 6. Such connection bracket or strap 6 typically possesses essentially the shape of a quarter circular disk having a thickness corresponding to approximately that of the profile member 2 and such has been depicted in detail in FIG. 4. Two flanges 6a and 6b are mounted perpendicular to the disk surface, and these flanges 6a and 6b essentially possess the shape of a quarter of a cylinder and possess a spacing such that they can receive therebetween the round or arcuate partial profile members 4 and 5. The flange 6a simultaneously serves as the outer edge of the connection bracket 6. A respective connection pin 6c extends from both open sides of the flange pair 6a and 6b, and over each such connection pin 60 there can be pushed a respective profile rod member 3. The flange pair 6d serves for the connection of the flange pairs 3a to 3b of each profile rod.

The upper edge closure of the pool is formed by a closure profile member 7 which possesses, in vertical direction, two extensions 7a which are pushed on to the tapered or narrow portion or section 2c of the neighboring profile member and are adhesively bonded therewith. The extensions 7a are arranged in such a way that the closure profile members 7 are secured in a nonsymmetrical fashion at the side walls. The wider portion 7b is directed towards the outside, whereas the narrower portion 70 extends into the interior of the swimming pool and prevents the water located therein from splashing out. For increasing the strength, there is provided a web 7d. The closure profile member 7 can serve for instance as a seating edge.

In each case, two abutting closure profile members 7 and a circular profile pair 4 and 5 are assembled together by a respective further connection bracket or strap 8. As best seen by referring to FIG. 5, such essentially possesses the shape of a quarter circular ring, the width of which corresponds to that of the closure profile member 7. It possesses two projections 8c which are perpendicular to one another and over which there can be pushed or slipped a respective closure profile member 7. Two quarter cylindrical flanges 8a and 8b are arranged perpendicular to the circular ring surface and serve for receiving the round or arcuate profile pair 4 and 5.

By virtue of the previously described components 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8, all of the surfaces of the pool 1 which are composed of the profile members 2 are capable of being simply and positively connected with one another. During the fabrication of such swimming pool, the walls la and the floor 1b are individually fabricated in the desired size at the factory. At the walls la there can be mounted, on the one hand, at the same time also the closure profile members and, on the other hand, the square or quadratic profile rod members 3, so that at the place of erection only a few profile members must formed of drawn aluminum profile members adhesively' bonded with one another, said profile members possessing an essentially rectangular cross-sectional configuration and'the lengthwise extending sides of which have extensions at one end and at the other end possess a tapered section for the introduction of a neighboring profile member between such wall extensions, profile rod members possessing a substantially square crosssectional configuration for forming the edges between each side wall and the floor, said profile rod members possessing at two neighboring surfaces a respective pair of flanges arranged perpendicular to the associated surface for the reception of one end of a profile member, the edges between each two respective side walls being formed by round profile members which in crosssection possess the shape of a quarter of a circle, said round profile members being provided at one side with a substantially flat flange pair for receiving the ends of the profile members forming a respective side wall, closure profile members provided at the upper region of the side walls, and a respective lower and upper connection bracket for connecting the round profile members with the floor and with each two respective closure profile members mounted upon the edge of the pool respectively.

2. The swimming pool as defined in claim 1, wherein each round profile member consists of two partial profiles which in cross-section possess the shape of a quarter of a circle, said partial profiles having webs at the sides confronting one another for increasing the strength and for mutually supporting one another.

3. The swimming pool as defined in claim 1,:wherein each of the lower connection brackets possesses two pins which are perpendicular to one another and over which there can be pushed a respective profile rod member, and a flange pair for the end of a floor profile as well as two quarter circular-shaped flexed flanges disposed pependicular thereto for receiving a round profile member.

4. The swimming pool as defined in claim 1, wherein each of the upper connection brackets likewise has two substantially quarter circular-shaped flexed flanges disposed perpendicular thereto for receiving a round profile member and two projections which are perpendicular to one another and which can be pushed into a respective closure profile member. 

1. A swimming pool having side walls and a floor formed of drawn aluminum profile members adhesively bonded with one another, said profile members possessing an essentially rectangular crosssectional configuration and the lengthwise extending sides of which have extensions at one end and at the other end possess a tapered section for the introduction of a neighboring profile member between such wall extensions, profile rod members possessing a substantially square cross-sectional configuration for forming the edges between each side wall and the floor, said profile rod members possessing at two neighboring surfaces a respective pair of flanges arranged perpendicular to the associated surface for the reception of one end of a profile member, the edges between each two respective side walls being formed by round profile members which in cross-section possess the shape of a quarter of a circle, said round profile members being provided at one side with a substantially flat flange pair for receiving the ends of the profile members forming a respective side wall, closure profile members provided at the upper region of the side walls, and a respective lower and upper connection bracket for connecting the round profile members with the floor and with each two respective closure profile members mounted upon the edge of the pool respectively.
 2. The swimming pool as defined in claim 1, wherein each round profile member consists of two partial profiles which in cross-section possess the shape of a quarter of a circle, said partial profiles having webs at the sides confronting one another for increasing the strength and for mutually supporting one another.
 3. The swimming pool as defined in claim 1, wherein each of the lower connection brackets possesses two pins which are perpendicular to one another and over which there can be pushed a respective profile rod member, and a flange pair for the end of a floor profile as well as two quarter circular-shaped flexed flanges disposed pependicular thereto for receiving a round profile member.
 4. The swimming pool as defined in claim 1, wherein each of the upper connection brackets likewise has two substantially quarter circular-shaped flexed flanges disposed perpendicular thereto for receiving a round profile member and two projections which are perpendicular to one another and which can be pushed into a respective closure profile member. 